「～か何か」- Expressing Uncertainty or Similar Things

Explanation

「～か何か」 (～ka nanika) is a Japanese expression used to add supplementary information about something similar to the noun or verb mentioned earlier. It essentially means "～ or something like that." This expression is often used to describe things that are similar or related to the mentioned subject, or to express uncertainty when the speaker is not sure about the specifics.

Grammar Pattern

Grammar Point	Connection	Explanation
～か何か	Verb plain form + か何か Noun + か何か	Means "～ or something like that," used to add supplementary information about something similar or to express uncertainty.

Deep Dive

Basic Usage

「～か何か」 is used to refer to something similar or related to the mentioned subject. It can be used after both nouns and verbs in their plain form.

Noun + か何か

When used after a noun, it means "this noun or something similar."

• Example:
  • あの子あのこたちめちゃくちゃ似にてるけど、双子ふたごか何なにか？
  • Ano ko-tachi mechakucha niteru kedo, futago ka nanika?
  • Those kids look so alike. Are they twins or something?
    

• コーヒーコーヒーか何なにか飲のみたいです。
• Kōhī ka nanika nomitai desu.
• I want to drink coffee or something.
  

Verb Plain Form + か何か

When used after a verb in its plain form, it means "this action or something similar."

• Example:
  • 野菜やさいか何なにかを炒いためてるフライパンフライパンから火ひが出でていたことで起おこった火事かじらしい。
  • Yasai ka nanika o itameteru furaipan kara hi ga dete ita koto de okotta kaji rashii.
  • It seems the fire started from a frying pan where they were stir-frying vegetables or something.
    

• 彼かれとは昔むかし、友達ともだちの誕生日会たんじょうびかいか何なにかで会あったことがあると思おもいます。
• Kare to wa mukashi, tomodachi no tanjōbi-kai ka nanika de atta koto ga aru to omoimasu.
• I think I met him before at a friend's birthday party or something.
  

Expressing Uncertainty

「～か何か」 is also used to express the speaker's uncertainty about the information, adding a vague tone.

• Example:
  • テレビ番組ばんぐみか何なにかで、その話はなしを聞きいたことがあります。
  • Terebi bangumi ka nanika de, sono hanashi o kiita koto ga arimasu.
  • I think I heard that story on a TV show or something.
    

• 彼かれは病院びょういんに行いくか何なにかで明日あしたは学校がっこうを休やすむそうだ。
• Kare wa byōin ni iku ka nanika de ashita wa gakkō o yasumu sō da.
• I heard he’s taking a day off tomorrow because he’s going to the hospital or something.
  

Particle Omission

In conversation, particles like 「が」 and 「を」 are often omitted after 「～か何か」.

• Example:
  • コーヒーコーヒーか何なにか（を）飲のみたいです。
  • Kōhī ka nanika (o) nomitai desu.
  • I want to drink coffee or something.
    

• あそこには新あたらしいビルビルか何なにか（が）建たつらしい。
• Asoko ni wa atarashii biru ka nanika (ga) tatsu rashii.
• I heard they’re building a new building or something there.
  

Examples

• 風かぜで紙かみが飛とんでしまうので、本ほんか何なにか重おもいものを置おいておきましょう。
• Kaze de kami ga tonde shimau node, hon ka nanika omoi mono o oite okimashou.
• The wind is blowing the papers away, so let’s put a book or something heavy on them.
  

• 時間じかんがあるから、まず食たべるか何なにかしよう。
• Jikan ga aru kara, mazu taberu ka nanika shiyou.
• Since we have time, let’s eat something or do something first.
  

Real-Life Scenarios

• In everyday conversations, 「～か何か」 can be used to describe uncertain situations. For example, when a friend asks what you want to eat, you can say, "I want to eat sushi or something."
• When discussing an event and you’re not sure about the details, you can say, "I heard it was caused by the weather or something."

Summary

「～か何か」 is a highly practical grammar point used to express uncertainty or to add supplementary information about something similar. By mastering this expression, you can communicate your thoughts and intentions more flexibly in everyday conversations.